Meyer breaks Ho stranglehold
CONTENT: MULTIPLE CHAMPION ‘RELIEVED’ AFTER LOSS
America’s Ashley Twichell sweeps to third women’s win.
Chad Ho admitted yesterday he was somewhat relieved not to carry the king’s burden for at least one year, after teenager Matthew Meyer ended his lengthy winning streak at the aQuelle Midmar Mile outside Howick.
“It was a privilege to have the run I had with all those titles, and this feels a bit different, but it is a bit of a relief to have that pressure taken off,” said Ho, who won the previous seven successive elite men’s titles at the annual event.
“I will of course try and get my title back next year.”
While he was dethroned, Ho said he felt in better shape than he expected at this early stage of the season, as he prepared to defend his 5km title at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest in July.
“I think I raced really well, and I thought I was more unfit than I showed today,” he said.
“It’s a good sign for the future and the rest of my season.”
After being edged by Ho in a late sprint last year, 18-year-old Meyer produced a breakthrough performance at the 44th edition of the world’s biggest open water swimming race to hold off a world-class elite men’s line-up.
He completed the 1.6km race in 18:13, finishing five seconds ahead of his compatriot.
Former world 10km champion Chip Peterson of the United States crossed the line in 18:20 in third place, and Olympic gold medallist Ferry Weertman of the Netherlands was fourth, a further six seconds off the pace in a hardfought battle.
In the women’s contest, US swimmer Ashley Twichell secured her third Midmar victory.
Twitchell, who previously won the race in 2013 and 2014, reclaimed the title, completing the course in 19:24 to defeat Holly Hibbott of Great Britain.
Hibbott, who was 13 seconds behind Twichell, again settled for second place after losing out to local star Michelle Weber last year.
Robyn Kinghorn was the first South African home, ending third in 20:34.